Paul Shawcross
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Acquisitions editor (Europe) Travel writer & photographer specialising in France. Clients include Michelin, Thomas Cook, Time Out & DK
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Articles by Paul Shawcross
Dear DOGE, A Cautionary Tale
The Musk-Ramaswamy Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has received enormous attention. Yet its basic mission – bring the voice of America to the attention of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – has been tried before. It’s one of the finest moments in the history of federal budgeting and an Eakinomics all-time favorite.
How to Spend 2 Days Driving Around the Idyllic Luberon
Mountains, Old Abbeys, Pretty Villages and a Roman Bridge The Luberon in the Vaucluse boasts many charming villages, four of which are classified as Plus Beaux Villages. Moreover, there are wooded hills with plenty of good walking, great markets, excellent restaurants and a producer of quality wines—all in this relatively unspoiled corner of Provence. While this itinerary can be done in a day if you stay nearby, I would advise spending more time in this beautiful region.
Marseille France Travel Guide
A Travel Guide to fascinating Marseille Marseille is the oldest city in France. It dates back 2600 years when it was founded by the Phocaeans, or Greeks, from what is now Turkey. Named Massalia the town became very prosperous setting up trading posts in surrounding settlements. It remained independent of the Romans when they occupied Provence but the inhabitants made the mistake of backing the wrong side during the civil war between Pompey and Caesar.
Côtes du Rhône Wine Route a Village Driving Itinerary
Popes and Red Wine Villages in Provence’s Rhone Valley In my view, there is no better place to begin this wine village itinerary than historic Avignon. The city was once the seat of the Catholic Church and home of several Popes during the Middle Ages. I have chosen seven of my favourite wine villages which can be easily be visited in a day.
10 of Provence's Best Villages
By Paul Shawcross No visit to Provence is complete without a visit to at least one of its many ancient villages and some of the best examples in France are to be found in sun-drenched Provence. Not only that, several of France’s most well known, officially designated, Plus Beaux Villages are here too.
Camping in St Remy at Mas de Nicolas
Camping in Provence Like most French regions, Provence lends itself to camping and the outdoor life, especially with its wall to wall sunshine, blue skies and healthy Mediterranean cuisine. A quick Google search will show a great variety of sites in every part of the Region, especially near the coast, in the mountains, by rivers and lakes and near important tourist centres.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence
Founded by the Romans, birthplace of Cézanne and City of arts Birthplace of renowned artist Paul Cézanne, the university town of Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant place with the arts firmly at its heart. Aix, (pronounced Ex) as it is more commonly known, is referred to as the city of art and lights and has been the favoured haunt of artists in their many forms, from painters and musicians to dance and film for centuries. But its history goes much further back.
Things to do in Languedoc-Roussillon France
Languedoc-Roussillon – the ‘Other’ South of France When people speak of the South of France they are usually referring to the Côte d’Azur. However, the travelling cognoscenti know that there is another part of the so-called Midi. One which also enjoys equally beautiful blue skies, arguably even better beaches and nearby high mountains.
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England 1 Day Itinerary of Top Things to See
Newcastle upon Tyne with its iconic bridges across the Tyne is a must see for any visitor to the region. Known to many as ‘the Toon’ (‘the Town’ in the local dialect) and home to the ‘Geordies’. Newcastle’s support for the Hanoverian King George I during the Jacobite Rebellion earned this world-renowned sobriquet. Newcastle is a relatively small city and easily explored in a day.
St-Remy-de-Provence, France 1 Day Walking Itinerary
St-Rémy is in many ways the quintessential Provençal small town. A boulevard running along the course of the old walls, plane trees lining the avenues and narrow streets with ancient houses and mansions giving access to the historic centre. To the south lie the limestone peaks of Les Alpilles under which nestles the old Roman/Greek town of Glanum. Before you begin: Start your itinerary by calling at the Tourist Office on Avenue Pasteur (car park adjacent) and obtain a town plan.
Nice France Travel Guide
City, Coast and Mountains Fabulous Nice, capital of the The French Riviera, occupies a prime position on the graceful iridescent curve of the Baie des Anges, or Bay of Angels, which stretches from Cap d’Antibes in the west to Cap Ferrat in the east. Moreover, Nice’s Italianate charm, resulting from a long association with its neighbour; its Baroque buildings; near perfect climate; and setting at the foot of the Alps all contribute to its appeal.
Bergerac France Travel Guide
An incredibly picturesque spot on the edge of the River Dordogne, Bergerac is embraced by rolling fields and lush vineyards, and of course is well-known as the birth place of satirist and dramatist, Cyrano de Bergerac. And even though it seems like there is an almost endless list of towns and cities throughout France that proudly uphold its gastro reputation, Bergerac most definitely has to be listed as one of them.
Visit France's Upper Dordogne Valley: 2 Day Scenic Driving Itinerary
The Upper Dordogne Valley, through which flows one of the quintessential rivers of France, is quite stunning. Before it enters the département it was named after, it flows through Cantal, Corrèze and Lot. Many visitors overlook this section of the river, which flows through some impressive gorges and pretty villages before reaching it’s eponymous department. The trip includes stunning villages which aren’t on the river but are too close to miss.
This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For
An online petition demanding the President Barack Obama administration build a Death Star like the one in Star Wars reached 25,000-plus signatures last month, a threshold obliging the government to respond whether it will build the fictional weapon capable of annihilating planets. The White House responded on Friday.
Central Switzerland & Lucerne Trip Planning and Itineraries
Switzerland's heart and soul Save to my Account written by:Paul Shawcross This large area, the heart of Switzerland, holds the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zug. But it’s also the heart and soul of the country, from a historical and sentimental stance. Moreover, it’s here founding myths, iconic imagery, quintessential landscape and much of the national character combine to create the essence of ‘Swissness’.
Nissa la Bella – Paul Shawcross writes about his favourite places in beautiful Nice - Perfectly Provence
Fabulous Nice lies along the shores of Baie des Anges at the eastern end of Provence, on what English speakers call the French Riviera but which the French know as the Côte d’Azur. The English aristocracy discovered its delights during the early Victorian era but the secret eventually got out and the Riviera soon established itself as an international playground for everyone. Nice can be divided into two parts, the old town, or Vieux Nice, and the Modern Town.
Europe Travel Planning: Top European Cities and Regions
Where To Go Austria Balkans Belgium Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic (Prague) England France Germany Greece (Athens) Italy Republic of Ireland Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Netherlands Poland Portugal (Madeira and the Algarve) Romania Scandinavia Scotland Spain Switzerland Turkey Wales When To Go No matter what time of year Europe offers something for every season from a vast array of winter sports during the colder months to all the usual summer activities from lying on the...
Nice France: Top Places to See in the City and Côte d'Azur
Nice and easy Nice Save to my Account Fabulous Nice lies along the shores of the Baie des Anges in the Mediterranean Sea. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes département of the Région Provence-Cote-d’Azur on, what English speakers often call, the French Riviera but which the French know as the Côte d’Azur. The English discovered Nice’s delights during the mid 19th century. However, the secret eventually emerged and the Riviera soon established itself as an international playground.
Provence - land of sunshine, wine and perched villages
Provence - a state of mind? Save to my Account Provence is one of those magical destinations that travellers dream about. Blue skies, warm days, balmy evenings, healthy cuisine, splendid architecture, a fascinating heritage and the wonderful sing-song accent of the local inhabitants, the Provençaux. It is almost as much a state of mind as a geographical area. But where exactly is Provence?
France Trip Planning - Best Places to Go and Travel Itineraries
When To Go Anytime is the time to go to France because there is so much to see and do in this huge and varied country! Maybe avoid January and February in the North but head down towards the magnificent Mediterranean coast and enter a different world even in the depths of Winter! Check out ‘How Much Time to Spend’, ‘High and Low Season‘, ‘Weather and Climate’, ‘Events & Holidays‘ and ‘Time Zone‘ by visiting the grey area at the left of this text.
Outer Nice and Cimiez in a day: Bindu Travel Itinerary
Many visitors to Nice see only the Old Town and those sights immediately outside it. However, if time allows, there is so much more to this fabulous city than that! If you venture a little further afield, you can enjoy sights in Outer Nice as diverse as a Russian Orthodox church, a Roman amphitheatre, an Art Deco church and even a monastery garden! Before you begin: Visit the Tourist Office on the Promenade des Anglais and obtain a map of the town.
This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For
Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016. The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon.
This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For
The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons: However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky -- that's no Moon, it's a Space Station! Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live and thrive in space for long durations.
「デス・スター建設の請願」、米政府の公式回答
先月、米国政府に対して、『スター・ウォーズ』に登場する宇宙要塞「デス・スター」の建設を求めるオンライン請願書への署名数が、規定署名数の25,000人以上に達した（日本語版記事）。惑星を破壊できる、想像上の兵器を作るかどうかを米国政府が回答しなければならない規定署名数だ。 以下、米国行政管理予算局科学宇宙部部長であるポール・ショークロスからの公式回答をご紹介しよう。 デス・スター建設のための資源や資金を確保し、2016年までに建設を始めるべきだという請願に対する、ホワイトハウスからの公式回答 米国政府も、請願者の皆さんと同様、雇用創出や防衛力強化を望んでいます。しかし、デス・スターを建設する計画はありません。以下にその理由を述べます。 ・デス・スターの建設費は85京ドルを超えると推定されています（日本語版記事）。政府は財政赤字を拡大するのでなく減らそうと努力しています。 ・政府はひとつの惑星を吹き飛ばすことを支持しません。 ・「1人乗りの宇宙戦闘機1機だけで破壊されうる」という根本的な弱点を持つデス・スターに、人々が納めた多額の税金を費やす利点があるでしょうか。...
U.S. will not be building a “Death Star” despite petition
Thousands are asking for a Death Star to help defend America… but the White House said no. (Lucasfilm, LTD.) WASHINGTON – Obligated to respond, the White House on Friday said that the United States government will not be building a “Death Star” as seen in the popular Star Wars movies. A petition was started at petitions.whitehouse.gov asking for a Death Star as part of America’s nation defense.
White House Rejects Petition to Build Death Star
The executive branch of the United States government has spoken: It will not build a Death Star. A publicly generated petition for the government to “secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016” was posted on the White House’s “We The People” website in December. The petition quickly broke the 25,000 signature threshold to earn an official response.
This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For
By Paul Shawcross The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons: The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it. The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
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